Sony files patent to block used games

Controversy has surrounded the rumors that the PlayStation 4 (and possibly the Xbox 720) could block used games completely. Now a recently filed patent shows Sony might seriously take action against used games with the yet to be announced PS4.

Used games have been around almost since the beginning of gaming. Used games have given gamers the ability to play buy games for cheap, which offers those on a budget the chance to enjoy video games. Among other things used games have a lot of benefit and major corporations like Gamestop have thrived off the used games market. Most game developers have been against the used games market for a long time for one reason; developers do not see any revenue from used games that are bought or sold. Some developers have taken arms against used games with the use of Online passes, which is a code for online play that can only be used once and if that game was bought used, to access those features you’d have to pay for that pass. Rumor awhile back was that developers and console developers wanted and were looking to take used games to the grave by blocking used games completely with the next generation of consoles. That rumor seems to be coming true from the new patient that Sony just filed, with Sony themselves saying that it’s vital used games are blocked.

Sony has researched and patented new technology that could be implemented in consoles or handhelds to block used games. Sony patient number 20130007892 was filed for an “Electronic Content Processing System” and “Use Apparatus” that would associate individual game discs with matched user accounts using a more advanced system. The system works, according to the document, by attaching RF tags to each game which could be read without any network connection. The document states “A game playing system includes a use permission tag provided for use in a game disk for a user of a game, a disk drive, and a reproduction device for reproducing the game.” The details of the document basically show a full on block of used games for all consoles with no way around it, besides of course hacking; even that would be difficult considering security on a next gen console would be increased. The document continues on by saying “According to the present embodiment, realized is the electronic content processing system that reliably restricts the use of electronic content dealt in the second-hand markets.” “As a result, the dealing of electronic content in the second-hand markets is suppressed, which in turn supports the redistribution of part of proceeds from sales of the electronic content to the developers. Though in the following description a game application (AP) is exemplified as the electronic content, the present embodiment is similarly applicable to various kinds of electronic content such as an office suite, images, and music content.”

In the patent filed, Sony said in the games industry that it is vital to redistribute a portion of the proceeds from sales to developers, who do not see a dime from secondhand sales. However, if Sony or any company was to block used games on their consoles present or future, it would be negative. Not only would it take away options for gamers but used games are necessary in this economy and are not even a threat at revenue, something you can see with the $1billion dollars made in 15 days from Call Of Duty on new games alone. If a game is good enough it will sell, and shouldn’t be affected by the small potion of sales of used games, something analysts have been saying for a long time. Blocking used games would give gamers less of a choice when it comes down to price. Its also unfair to not allow gamers to get some money back that they could put towards a new one. Blocking used games also means games would no longer be able to be found if production was to be ceased. Doing so could also devastate the economy, both in normal markets and used game markets. Companies like Gamestop would be non existent, and sites like eBay would lose sellers, lets also not forget rental services like Redbox and Gamefly would be dead. It would be a terrible mistake to block used games on any console.

The main question is whether or not Sony would actually do something this drastic. It’s already created an uproar and made company shares fall. A lot of patents get filed, and a lot never see the light of day so now its a waiting game to see if Sony could actually do it. Until then sound off in the comments and let me know how you feel if used games were to be blocked.

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One more thing I forgot to mention, what about theft? You kill off used $10 games, and suddenly you have hundreds of thousands of teens who now cannot afford to buy any/many games for their new console…so while many would never think of stealing, they may just leave ppl with no choice! Dont get me wrong im not supporting theft by any means, but you have tons of kids/teens who cant afford something, they are going to go out and get their game, by any means!

Yeah…. Valve has been a pretty cool company, I can’t see them pulling any dirtbag moves like this, they always keep their prices within reason, and have alot to offer, they’ve also been working hard to bring some kickass gaming to the Linux platform……. Valve is a company deserving of our support… not one who thinks they are entitled to it like Sony.

If Microsoft was smart, which they aren’t. They would do the opposite of Sony that way more people buy their System which means Microsoft would sell more Systems and make a larger profit overall.

But I see Microsoft being idiotic and copying Sony instead of realizing that if they did the opposite of Sony they could take Sony out of the gaming world. It’s time for Sony to die guys. No company should be giving the middle finger to the people who support them.

this is crossing a line… right now new games are like $60 a pop, and i have a feeling the next gen game prices are gonna be even higher. it’s not like i never buy new games, however there are a lot of games i wouldn’t own if i had to pay full price. if anything, this won’t make me buy more games, it will just make me generally play video games less.

This is just greed. Pure and simple or maybe Sony WANTS America and all countries other than Japan to hate them. It is not like International markets brings in millions of dollars or anything {sarcasm}. One user above said they are shooting themselves in the foot and I am inclined to wholeheartedly agree to this point. Really, they are shooting themselves in the head. For quite some time Sony has slipped from the public gaming eye with their many “major” decisions (or lack thereof). They obviously do not have any economists working there. If they were to actually go through with this they would devastate many parts of an already struggling economy. Not to mention themselves as a company. In one fail swoop they would be taking our freedom as consumers, a major source of income from major companies, and a major chunk of their fan base. Many places sell used games. Many people (including myself) buy used games. Buying used games does not only allow one to finally have a game they have wanted for a more reasonable price but developers undoubtedly still see revenues due to other related criteria such as say word-of-mouth. Many times a friend would buy a used game and tell me about how awesome it was then I would go find it, whether new or used (new if it was just that awesome ) or buy it used and pre-order its sequel then tell more friends and go on forums and message boards talking about how amazing the game was praising Sony, Microsoft, or whoever brought it to us. Having used games offers so much more than just immediate revenue to a company which is what sony is failing to see. They will see when their Playstation stocks drop to next to nothing. My question is, where does this stop? Do they decide to make their DVDs and BluRay players block used movie discs as well? It will never end. The only way I could see them coming out on top after doing something like this is if the SIGNIFICANTLY reduced the price of their games, which I do not see happening, do u? i have faith, though that this patent attempt will be denied and fall by the wayside especially after the decision Congress made regarding Jailbreaking when Apple tried something similar, saying that it was a part of the Users freedom to enhance their device. Well, reselling our games, or purchasing resold games is a part of our freedoms as well Sony. I am tempted to start a campaign or petition. This does not sit well with me. Not at all. Funny thing is, I was going to save up my little bit of money (while in College still, mind you)and purchase the new PS4 but (and this is to Sony) if you guys actually do this you just lost a customer and probably MANY others (esp on this page). That is all. I apologize for my lengthy rant but it had to be said. I feel a tad bit better. Well guys, looks like Nintendo still reigns supreme. My hope in them is restored. Would not be surprised if we see a rise in their stock over the next few weeks lol

Because intellectual property and real property rights are incompatible, one must die a little in order to make way for the other. What you buy and what is yours becomes less and less yours, and more and more someone else’s.

This may not be entirely a bad thing, think about it, by eliminating the opportunity to be able to buy a game second hand there will be a massive increase in turnover. With a higher turnover they will be able to sell games at a much cheaper price.

You guys do know that this isn’t just Sony right? Xbox, and Microsoft are considering the exact same thing. This is how the capitalist system works; these companies are after the highest possible profit, and know that it will take a massive upheaval to unseat them from where they are at the moment (the top). So you can bash Sony all you want, but Microsoft won’t be your savior because they will be doing it too. Whatever happens, you’ll eventually willingly spend your money; that’s how capitalism works.

Sony and Microsoft aren’t the only “game” in town, if the sheep continue to support them after this, then the sheep fully deserve to be fleeced…. smart people will start supporting other more freedom respecting companies and platforms, linux, ouya, valve, steambox nvidia shield, archos gamepad, android, jxd s7300, dingoo, gcw zero, open pandora, gp2x wiz, and much as i hate to say it…. Nintendo….. there are plenty of choices, we don’t need Sony or Microsoft, I cut myself off from them long time ago, I stuck to my guns on the boycott Sony thing after the whole geohot incident…. and I feel no less entertained now than I did before….. and I don’t have much use for Microsoft either, Linux is an awesome OS and it just gets better every day….. A Sony product will never enter my house again, and if the rumors are true about Microsoft, then niether will a microsoft product…….. don’t wuss out, if you want your voices to be heard, speak with your damned wallets, or bend over and take it up the ***…. your choice.

wow and damn, how can they do this. The only games i buy new are for vita , and the few preorders I do a year for ps3 and xbox arent many. I always buy used. Screw you sony and microsoft. I cant believe you are stooping to this level. unbelievable. Im at a loss for words… They are jealous of gamestop. my favorite store. Thats all.

dont go all out and blame sony here its not there fault as it says in the story its the game devs who are pushing for this….. sony can make the best console in the world but it wont be any sory of game console if it has no good games to play on it…..

take a look at or VIta for example great device which i love so much but *** games right now same goes with 3DS great game device not so great games….

Sony is only trying to please the devs so they will come and make games for there console so its the devs being greedy not Sony

now im not saying do this cause if they do game sells would go down even more if these game devs think there losing money now from used games wait tell they try and ban used games well if they do that then it will be the other way around where people would buy the game but they wont buy the console cause of the protection so they wont buy the game in the first place since they would have no console to play it on…

Game devs are only killing them self and making matters worse for them self…

SO dont blame sony on this its the game devs pushing them and forcing them to do this its also why now Sony is so strict on piracy and locking down the vita and PS3 the game devs cry and game CEOS just want more money in there pocket

Excuse me, Sony charges huge licensing fees to game devs to allow them to put games out on their stinking systems in the first place, most game devs aren’t seeing profits for that reason alone, it’s impossible for a small developer to get a game out on sony or microsofts platforms for these reasons…… you say game devs are calling for this, sorry, but that’s your thinking, i have not seen a single instance of that, game developers are being fleeced by sony and microsoft for license fees, SONY is angry because the used game industy is “interuppting” their collecting of licensing fees and so are taking it uopn themselves to do this, NO GAME DEVS asked for this, it’s Sony, If you cannot follow a simple pattern of events in which Sony has constantly pulled dirtbag moves like this, then there is no hope for you…. Sony keeps saying “it’s for the game developers”…. well I CALL ***, it’s to line Sonys own pockets!.

But they have no choice i rather stick with data games on the store and homebrew games and i dont need to spend a dime on anything. Just wait for a new game to come out dont but the cd and when i reach the ps store buy it

It’s like a music artist suing a person for downloading there songs. Puts them in debt for life while they’re making millions anyway… Same concept. Everyone just want’s more money to spend.

The only good thing that could come out of this is bringing more PC gamers. Why? Because used games was a HUGE part of consoles. They take that away, what point is there in consoles now other then usability? Only reason I’d buy a game for XBOX was to share it with my brothers when I was done. Can’t do that, why bother now?

I honestly believe game specialty stores like Gamestop will boycott the consoles blocking used content for us. That is how they make a good chunk of their money, used items. Then they’ll file a lawsuit and sony can’t pay off anyone because they are not influential to any market other than the Blu-ray industry. Best Buy might boycott as well.

Sony is getting more and more greedy. Dear sony how is your ps vita sales? Goodluck to you then. We, users, never felt your generousity. If used games cannot be sold/bought from the market, then, can you please offer a money back guarantee? I just want to make sure I will satisfied for what I paid for.

Personally, I hate this idea. 1/2 my games I buy used because the budget is not there to buy every game that comes out. Multi-player is tyed to the AAA tiles (black ops, Modern Warfare, etc) and I normaly buy those at full retail.

I think Sony/Microsoft should go after places like gameripoff (gamestop) to make them pay a fee for selling used games and make them cut there margins down a little. Also put the the online codes for games on all of them like on the vita, they still will make money and when people buy them new, they can play online.

I should be able to buy the single player game (for achivements/trophies) for a discounted price after someone else has played it, just like you can buy used DVDs/Blu-rays for 1/2 the price for used ones. Or music CDs…

If they want to stop this totaly, then just drop all new PS4 and 720(xbox ?) games to $30 each. I would not feel the need to shop for a deal on a game.

I hate hearing people say Sony or Microsoft are greedy ( of course they are). If you think they are then stop feeding them. They don’t force you to buy their product. As a consumer we hold all the cards, but we choose not to use it. People are so use to be f**ked in the a** what’s another inch 🙂 The worst is they will come for more. With that said can you really blame Sony 🙂

AND YOU ARE GOING TO F.UNG BUY PLAYSTATION!!!?!!??=?=)((=???????? I CANT BELIEVE IT, WAKE UP PEOPLE FOR GOD SAKE… WAKE UP DAMMED… WE CAN NOT BUY THAT SHIN ANYMORE… EVERYTHING HAS CHANGE SINCE MY SNES CARTRIDGES.. THERE WAS A LITTLE ” LET THEM HAVE FUN” FROM THE CORPORATIONS… RIGHT NOW EVERYTHING IS *** REVENUE IM SO SICK OF THAT I HAVE BOUGHT MY CONSOLE 9 TIMES BECAUSE OF THE GAMES.. THAT IS BEYOND WHATS FAIR.

Sounds good to me I always buy my games used especially since they introduced online pass I mean used game = $55 used $60 new Used 55 + 10 online pass say what you just paid for a new game :O impossible you saved nothing but a dollar or pennies on tax

if they allow this patent to go through it’ll effect gamers even more, you would not be able to bring you game over to your buddies house to play. you would need to bring your system over just to play with your friends

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